At the same time the Cardassiangovernment, declared traitors for abandoning the wormhole, has been toppled by a coup, and a Galor-classstarship under the command of one GulMarak has arrived on the station, demanding the return of Terok Nor, the handover of which they claim was illegitimate as it was conducted by the "traitor's" government. A conflict over the issue is averted temporarily, but soon Marak is complaning that one of his crew has taken refuge on the station and is demanding his return.

All the while the bombings continue, and an ultimatum by the apparent culprits is given to the station commanders, evacuate within 72 hours or be destroyed.